Sucker-rod elevator



March 31. 1925. 1,531,902

w. P. CUNNINGHAM v SUCKER ROD ELEVATOR Filed June 6- 9 4' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Quota) March 31. 1925.

. 1,531,902 w. P. CUNNINGHAM.

SUCKER ROD ELEVkTOR Filed June 6- 24 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zlw 3'at-sn'r'tecl Mar. 31, 1925.

UNITED STATES WINTFORD P. CUNNINGHAM, or TULSA, OKLAHOMA,

' SUCKER-EOI) ELEVATOR.

Application filed June 6,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 'WrN'rronn P. CUN- NINGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tulsa, in the county of Tulsa and State of Oklahon'ia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sucker-Rod Elevators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates in general to oil well apparatus, and in particular to means for elevating the sucker rods of such wells.

Objects ofthe invention are: to provide a rod elevator adaptable to different sized rods; to provide a rod elevator equipped with means for looking a rod against dislodgment therefrom; and to provide such an elevator constructed of few parts and extremely efficient in operation.

WVith these objects in view, and such others as will be apparent from the description, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of arts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of an elevatorwith a rod positioned therein,

Figure 2, a horizontal section through the elevator,

Figure 3, a vertical section on line 33 of Figure-2,

Figure 4, a vertical section on line 4 el of Figure 2,

Figure 5, a vertical section on line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6, a vertical section on line of Figure 2, and

Figure 7 a plan view of a slip employed.

In the preferred form of the invention, as shown, the elevator comprises a substantially square block in the form of a metal casting 10 provided at two opposite sides with trunnions 11 journalled in the ends of an inverted U shaped suspension link 12, of usual construction.

The block 10 is provided with a slot 13 extending from one side inwardly to the center thereof, of a width sufiicient to admit the shank of a sucker rod 14. The slot 13 extends through the block from top to bottom and those portions of the block comprising the walls and end of the slot are grooved at their upper and lower edges to provide the grooves 15 and 16. This grooved construction provides a cupped 1924. Serial No. 718,388.

socket in the upper and lower faces of the block at its center and surrounding the central bore therein, formed by the termination of the slot 13. I

At one side of the slot 13 the body of the blockhas formed therethrough a rectangular transverse bore 17, in communication along one side with the slot 13, and slidably disposed in this bore is a slip or key 18 formed with a straight side edge for engagement against the closed side wall of bore 17, and with its opposite side edge reduced throughout a portion of its length to form the faces 19 and 20, which project into the slot 13 and cooperate with the opposed side wall of slot 13 and its inner end to engage under and support the collar 21 of the sucker rod engaged in the slot.

In order to accommodate the elevator to different sized rods, either of the key faces 19 or 20 may be employed, by sliding the key withln the bore 17 to bring the desired face portion into position. To secure the key in position, the block is provided with vertically aligned bores in upper and lower faces thereof, for reception of a pin 22 which engages in either of a pair of longitudinally spaced bores in the key 18.

lVhile the key 18 provides for the accommodation of two sizes of rod, the elevator is adaptable to more by the use of a supplemental key member 18 which may be inserted in the block in place of the key 18. This key member 18 is substantially identical with the key 18, except that it is provided with faces 19 and 20 which provide for a greater width in the slot 13, when in use.

Heretofore in the use of rod elevators, much damage has been caused by the rod slipping out of engagement. It is a purpose of the present invention to render this occurrence impossible.

In communication with the slot 13 and in the opposite side of the block from that occupied by the key 18, is a bore 23 arranged at right angles to the slot 13, and in which is slidably disposed a latch 24: normally projected into the front portion of the slot 13, by means of an operating lever 25. Lever 25 is pivoted intermediate its ends on a pin 26 mounted in the block, and-is free to rock in a bore 27 formed to provide the necessary clearance. One end of the lever is engaged in a notch 28 in the latch 24 for movement of the latch .on rocking of the lever, and a coil expansion spring 29 is seated in a recess 30 in the block to press the operating lever for maintaining the latch is extended position.

The free end of the lever 25 projects into a finger groove 81 formed in the adjacent side face of the block, whereby the lever may be manipulated. The depth of the groove 31 is such that the end of the lever 25 Will be guarded Within the grooveand not project beyond the side of theblock, thus preventing any accidental operation of the lever to release the latch.

In operation, the size of rod having been ascertained, the elevator block is fitted With the required key and the key. is positioned as desired. The elevator is then brought into engagement With the shank of the sucker rod, Which will pass behind the latch 24 and be received Within the slot 13 at the center of the block. As the elevator is lifted by means of the link 12,. the block Willengage under the collar of the rod for lifting the ,rod fromfthe :vvell casing.

I claim:

1. A'sucker rod elevator comprising a slotted block, a longitudinally adjustable key formingone side Wall of said slot, and said key being of varying Widths whereby adjustmentbrings. successive faces in cooperative relation to adapt the elevator for use on different sizerods.

2. A sucker rod elevator comprising a slotted block, said block having a transverse bore parallel With one side Wall, of said slot and merging into the same, a key slidably mounted in said bore and having one side Wall projecting in said slot, means for locking said key invarious longitudi nally adjusted positions, and the projecting side Wall of said key having. stepped faces thereon.

i In testimony whereof I afiix mysignature.

WINTFORD P. CUNNINGHAM. 

